Being fit for
nothing at home, therefore, they had been considered to be particularly
well qualified for the American diplomatic service.
My room overlooked the Avenue, and the writing-desk was near the
window. I was drawing the formal report to the War Department of my
arrival at Dornlitz and the status political and military, when the
clatter of hoofs on the driveway drew my attention. It was a tall
officer in the green-and-gold of the Royal Guards, and pulling up
sharply he tossed his rein to his orderly. I heard the door open and
voices in the hall; and, then, in a few minutes, he came out and rode
away, with the stiff, hard seat of the European cavalryman. I was
still watching him when Courtney entered.
"What do you think of him?" he asked.
"I haven't seen enough of him to think," said I.
"Not even enough to wonder who he is?"
I yawned. "His uniform tells me he is a colonel of the Guard."
"But nothing else?"
"I can read a bit more."
"From the uniform?" he asked.
I nodded.
"You're a veritable Daniel," Courtney laughed. "What saith the
writing--or rather, what saith the uniform?"
"It's very simple to those who read uniforms."
"So!" said he.
Pages:
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39